Armani Chaney (178-PG-1997, college: Tennessee St.) is a 26 year old 178cm point guard from Chicago that has been a professional player since 2019. This season he played with Astros de Jalisco (Mexico-LNBP) averaging 14/2/3/1 and began the season with the Kapfenberg Bulls (Austria-BSL) averaging 24.9ppg, 4.9rpg, 4.9apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 57.1%, 3FGP: 39.4%, FT: 88.6%. He played most of his career in North America with teams like the Kokomo Bobkats (TBL), Chicago Fury (ABA), Newfoundland Rogues (Canada-BSL) and the Medora Timberjacks (TBL). He also got experience playing with MC El Brasil Santa Ana (El Salvador-Liga MB, starting five): Clausura: 17 games: Score-4 (28.8ppg), 6.3rpg, Assists-3 (7.1apg), 2.2spg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 68.8%. He began his basketball career with St Rita High School and then played at Tennessee State University (NCAA) from 2015-2019 playing a total of 108 NCAA games. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Armani for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

I am currently playing with the Astros De Jalisco in the Ciba Copa. Basketball life right now is pretty fun, but yet the same grind.

It took you 6 years to get overseas. You mostly played in the States, Canada and El Salvador. Why didn´t you come overseas sooner or were you content with where you were playing, or was your size always a factor?

The time I took off was predicated on my children’s growth and just wanting to stay home and being there for them. Mainly playing Semi Pro, El Salvador, and Canada really molded me into the player I am now. Size was always an advantage in my eyes, I never really felt it hindered me to achieve anything I wanted.

You had a solid NCAA career at Tennessee State (NCAA) and put up the kind of stats that would have gotten you overseas and in high leagues. How big is the chip on your shoulder?

The chip on my shoulder has always been big, just understanding at an early age, that tough environments make you have to go out and earn respect because in Chicago, they won’t give it to you.!

You had an incredible short season in Austria. What were the reasons for leaving? Were you the scapegoat for the losing?

Austria was a learning experience and i appreciate everybody that I met there. I think myself and the organization viewed winning differently, but I still cherish those relationships, Kapfenberg bulls are a really good organization with a lot of history.

The team lost 7 of 16 games with 3 or less points. I mean how unlucky can a team be. Have you ever experienced losing so many close games in crunch-time?

Yes, I’ve experienced a lot of seasons where most games are close, but it’s always unlucky to be on the other side of winning.

You were a walking bucket averaging 24.9ppg, 4.9rpg, 4.9apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 57.1%, 3FGP: 39.4%, FT: 88.6%. What did you enjoy most about playing in the Austrian BSL?

I believe I was just excited and grateful to be in Europe playing basketball at a high level. Understanding the road I took to get there, but never really being stagnant or content with my results. So I would say the experience just gave me a different outlook on life and basketball!

Now you playing with Astros de Jalisco (Mexico-LNBP). Your have high profile teammates with an ex NBA player and guys who have played at high levels in Europe like Tre McCallum and Jerai Grant. What have you enjoyed most about the experience?

I’m just happy to be apart of a winning culture and another great organization. But truthfully all of us are deserving and just understands what it takes to win basketball games. Obviously the experience they have is very vital to our success but we are mostly like brothers, we’re creating our own experiences everyday.

Your holding your own averaging 14/1/2. Your game seems to fit this league. How has your game profited from having such talented players?

Well i think when you are being challenged everyday to not only be selfless but trust your teammates more and more, it becomes you. Our coaches do a great job with making everyone feel equal so we don’t experience egos or the normal adversity teams seem to go through. As for myself, I think my best brand of basketball is playing with more talented players around me, I believe it shows my best attributes with being a point guard.

You played 2 seasons with the Newfoundland Rogues (NBL Canada) averaging 32.1ppg, 7.1rpg, 6.5apg, 2.5spg, FGP: 55.4%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 91.1% 30.3ppg), 6.4rpg, Assists-1 (7.8apg), Steals-3 (1.6spg), FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 87.8%. You were an absolute walking bucket. Did sometimes feel like being a man playing with boys?

You know in the moment I didn’t really realize how blessed I was to be able to do the things I was actually doing. But now that I look back, sometimes it’s shocking just understanding the circumstances I was up against. But it’s just a pillar of me going harder and trying to reach my full potential every season.

In your first season you had 3 40 plus scoring games and a triple double. What was your fondest moment on the court that season?

My main goal my first season was to be consistent as possible, because that was something I battled with in college. But I would say it’s probably most of the games when I would play bad and then deliver for my team at the end! Those moments built character. Also playing for Coach Williams he gave me a lot of confidence.

In your second season you had 6 40 plus point games including a 52 point game, 2 triple doubles and a 20 assist game. What was your fondest moment that season?

The goal my second season was to win in all facets. I wanted to show that what I did my first season wasn’t a fluke, and do all I could to help my teammates better. I feel I was a better leader my second year there. But the best moment of the season was when we won 4 out of our last 6 games to make the playoffs.

You were toiling in the ABA and TBL in your first 3 seasons after the NCAA. How tough were these 3 years? Did you have a day job?

Actually I didn’t work I was in a situation where certain family, and people believed in me. Everyday was basketball. I actually wouldn’t be here without my Fury Coaches ( Reece and Big Mike) also the trainer I had at the time Stef Hannah ( Ex NBA).

You got your first gig outside the States with MC El Brasil Santa Ana (El Salvador-Liga MB) averaging 28.8ppg), 6.3rpg, Assists-3 (7.1apg), 2.2spg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 68.8%. What memories do you have of El Salvador? You were a walking bucket and filled the stat sheet like a Russell Westbrook.

El Salvador was my first job, so I didn’t really have to many expectations on myself other than handle my business like a pro. I almost didn’t think I deserved to be a pro, but I kept with my faith and just stayed grateful to be playing basketball again.

You played at Tennessee State University (NCAA) from 2015-2019 playing a total of 108 NCAA games. Your minutes rose drastically in your last 2 seasons. How did your game grow in your last 2 seasons?

I think more confidence assembled into playing more and being more of an asset on the court than a liability. Coach Russ actually helped me improve my jump shot drastically my senior year. That is the reason I’m doing the things I can do now.

In your second season you lost to NCAA powerhouse Duke 65-55 and battled guys like Jayson Tatum, Grayson Allen and Luke Kennard. What memories do you have of that defensive battle?

I actually played against Tatum in high school so that was a cool experience to play him again at that point of his career. But I just remember those guys being very physical and tough.

How did Dana Ford and Brian Collins groom and prepare you for a professional career?

I think Coach Ford just showed me what it meant to be deserving, you know do all the little things right and reap rewards from it. Coach Collins was more of a people person so we mainly had talks about life without basketball and how to attack the world outside of sports.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Michael LittleJohn?

Haha, me and Mikey always competed in practice. Mainly on the same team though, but he was a great player and we definitely helped each other elevate our game.

Who is the best player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

I would say Ja Morant, just solely on the way he controlled a game and kept his teammates engaged. But Tahjere McCall was the toughest player I had to play against everyday in practice.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Tripp Davis

Alondre Pickens

Charles Matthews

Tahjere McCall

Luwane Pipkins

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

LeBron James

Steph Curry

Kyrie Irving

Derrick Rose

Kobe Bryant

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron james

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming to America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I think it was a great spinoff after all these years. Great movie.

Thanks Armani for the chat